Event 3
As for my last event, I visited a location where artistic displays were free to access. This time around, I visited our own backyard, UCLA's sculpture garden. While not often visited by a majority of students, the sculptures in the garden are all important artistic pieces in their own right. In fact, the sculpture garden is an extension of Hammer museum, indicating the significance of the works displayed there.
I have been consistently intrigued by the mathematics behind my art. I must confess that I have always thought art to be "abstract" and perhaps even "formless". However, with concepts of ratios and calculations that were explained by Dr. Vesna, I can now focus on the mathematical angles and lines in the artwork that I see.
For this particular artwork, T.E. UCLA, the way the steel pieces are bent seems almost as complex and beautiful as a calculus parabolic graph. Not only is the shape intriguingly beautiful, but the choice of material (weathered steel) shows the depth of artistic thought placed into the making of this project.
What makes this sculpture truly worthwhile is the "open space" that people can enter. When you are in the middle of the sculpture, it is as if you can feel the metallic embrace of the structure. Perhaps, I can even say I feel "at peace" or "protected".
Therefore, I feel like for students who haven't visited this particular structure, I highly encourage them to do so. It is an unique experience that all UCLA student should enjoy at least once. Perhaps after finals week or even during the hectic chaos of finals, students can come here to feel the same "peace" I felt. This sculpture definitely allowed me to enjoy the math behind art and I wish my peers could feel the same way as well.
2016年6月7日 星期二
2016年6月6日 星期一
Event 2: San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art
I paid a visit to the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art last weekend, and luckily Korean sculptor and installation artist Do Ho Suh was having his solo exhibition. Through his works, Suh challenges common conception for space and boundaries. He’s best known for intricate sculptures that defy conventional notions of scale and site-specificity.
The museum displayed his Specimen Series. Suh replicated appliances and fixtures from his NYC apartment in translucent colored fabric. Installed in illuminated vitrines, these ordinary objects glow from within, appearing luminous, alien, and captured for study.
I was mesmerized by this installation. How was he able to produce such a big piece of fabric that manages to hold itself together? Yet the attention to detail is incredible; toilets, ventilation pipes, lights, and even doorknobs all resemble real life objects, except made in fabric.
This exhibition shows Do Ho Suh’s careful planning of the dimension and aesthetics of the piece strengthens my understanding of the connection between art and science. Do Ho Suh obviously has the ability in art to create aesthetically pleasing installations and sculptors, but if he hadn’t carefully chosen his materials and did the math, this big piece of fabric, although enforced by thin wire, wouldn’t have been able to support itself.
2016年6月3日 星期五
Art and Medical Technology (WEEK 4 BLOG)
Initially, art and medicine may not appear to be related to one another at all. However, after this week's lecture about the creation and development of the MRI, the origins of plastic surgery, and Ingber's discovery about the architecture of life, Professor Vesna convinced me of the overwhelming presence of art in medicine.
To me, the technological leap that humans have made from human dissections to the MRI really astounds me. We normally do not stop to think of all the complicated metabolic processes that allow humans to breathe or eat, or how a MRI machine works; we take it for granted. However, the MRI does not have to do with science and medicine alone; it is also a form of art. Silvia Cassini's paper about the MRI really brought my attention to the relationship between medicine, technology and art. I agree with how he states that the MRI has the same "look" that a portrait has; it has the capacity to be performative, and using the MRI actually takes quite a bit of artistic skills. It seems that medicine and technology has opened up many possibilities to create art. Below are a few examples of the use of MRI to make art:
On the other hand, I had never thought about plastic surgery as an "art"; merely a procedure to enhance one's appearance for future selfish career goals (Michael Jackson and many K-pop stars). Therefore, it stunned me to learn that plastic surgery actually originated 4000 years ago, and has since developed, until recently, as a way to "give form to" brave and scarred soldiers coming back from war. Before today's cutting edge technology in medicine, I could only imagine the challenges that injured soldiers returning from war would have to face in their every day lives. With the development of prosthetics and plastic surgery, however, soldiers can be skillfully "recreated" and can acclimate back to society.
It is quite exciting to imagine the development of art, science, and technology in the future. I feel that only now, humans are beginning to discover the relationship between art and medicine/technnology. We can now alter our bodily image in so many ways, and we can also see, down to the microscopic level, of all our cells. For instance, Ingber in his "Architecture of Life" paper proves that the universal set of building rules based on tensegrity architecture guides the design of the organic structure. In other words, this kind of architecture forms the basis of everything, even things we cannot see cells. Shown below is the comparison of the brain cell and the universe, and how similar they are.
I had never stopped to think about the relationship between art and science. Now that I think about it, this week's lesson has taught me the close relationship between science, technology, and art, and how the advancement of one will open infinite possibilities for other fields.
Citations:
Casini, Silvia. “Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as Mirror and Portrait: MRI
Configurations Between Science and Arts.” The John Hopkins University Press
Furness, Hannah. "Pioneering plastic surgery records from First World War published." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 13 July 2012. Web. 27 Oct. 2013. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/9396435/Pioneering-plastic-surgery-records-from-First-World-War-published.html>.
Miller, Mark. Brain Structure Mirrors the Universe. 2007. Virgo Consortium for Cosmological Supercomputer Simulations, Brandeis. Exohuman. Web. 13 Aug. 2008.
Vesna, Victoria. “Lecture 1.” Youtube. 22 Apr. 2012. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep0M2bOM9Tk>
Vesna, Victoria. “Lecture 2.” Youtube. 22 Apr. 2012. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psjnQarHOqQ>
Vesna, Victoria. “Lecture 3.” Youtube. 22 Apr. 2012. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIX-9mXd3Y4>
2016年5月29日 星期日
Space+Art
Space and Art, which is this week's topic, made it quite easy for me to understand the relationship between space and art comparing to other topics that we have discussed before. As Professor Vesna states during the lecture, this topic connects all robot, technology, nanotechnology, and biotechnology into one lecture. The future of space technology has always captivated me, since it was only one hundred years ago that the Wright brothers made flight possible for humans. It is quite amazing how technology has allowed men to traverse previously unexplored boundaries, and at such a fast rate too!
Wright Brother's First Airplane |
Not only has space technology intrigued scientists, but also artists as well, resulting in many works of art, such as the movie E.T. and the Dancing on the Ceiling exhibition. In the movie E.T, artists and scientists alike use their great imaginations and minds to create a story that chronicles the journey of a boy who helps an alien go back home. Watching E.T. no doubt inspired me to become a scientist as a child, and hopefully the movie will continue to inspire many more minds in the future to revolutionize space travel. The thought of space travel becoming a reality is so exciting; space travel has definitely gotten more and more plausible. I can only hope that in the future that I personally will be able to experience space travel. It is due to scientists and artists who have incorporated the creativity of TV/film into works of art that have no doubt propelled space technology itself.
E.T. Film (1982) |
Dancing on the Ceiling: Art & Zero Gravity held by EMPAC also embodies artist's and scientist's interest in space, specifically gravity. It is an exhibition in which "contemporary artists explore the condition of weightlessness on earth."In other words, by violating all the traditional artwork that follows the physics of gravity, all the artwork in the exhibition will bring all viewers to a weightless world. This piece of artwork really shows how artists often use science to inspire and formulate new ideas about their projects.
Dancing On the Ceiling:Art and Zero Gravity |
From the examples of E.T. and the exhibition above, we can see that the space age that we are currently living in has fostered so much imagination and creativity. It has virtually allowed for boundless possibilities, and demonstrates how art and space complement each other. A fitting end to the course, I really cannot wait to see how art and space can be even more intertwined in the future.
Citations:
“Dancing on the Ceiling: Art & Zero Gravity at EMPAC.” Art & Education. N.p.. Web. 30 Nov 2013. <http://www.artandeducation.net/announcement/dancing-on-the-ceiling-art-zero-gravity-at-empac/>.
Goldstein. E.T: The Extra-Terrestial. 1982. New York Film Institute, New York. Derek Winnert. Web. 1 Dec. 2013.
NASA. Parts of An Aircraft. 2007. Glenn Research Center, Houston. NASA. Web. 1 Dec. 2013.
Vesna , Victoria, dir. Space Part 1. 2012. Film. 30 Nov 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2O5C0Iv6ROo#>
Vesna , Victoria, dir. Space Part 5. 2012. Film. 30 Nov 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WnSUHMXBmdg#>
2016年5月24日 星期二
Even though I am aware of the boundless applications of nanotechnology to medicine, I was quite astonished to find out that nanotechnology has also led to advancements in art, as seen in the Nano-Scape.
A beautiful image of California Nanosystems Technology(CNSI) is shown above, and it is home to many of the world's strongest and modern microscopes, including the STEM, cryo-EM, cryo-ET, and AFM microscopes. A link of the Titan Krios microscope constructed by FEI in CNSI and assembled by my research advisor: http://www.eicn.ucla.edu/titanbuildup.
Massive advancements in medicine has allowed for for massive growth in nanotechnology. One such application can be seen in the research of how nanotechnology from diesel exhaust and damage lung airway cells. As diesel exhaust particles, a major part of urban smog, deliver organic chemicals onto the cilia on our lungs, researching ways to combat this growing problem, especially in suburban areas, could greatly benefit humans. This finding could eventually lead to new therapies for people susceptible to the disease. Shown below are the diesel exhaust particles, consisted of a carbon core and coated with organic chemicals and metals.
On the other hand, nanotechnology has also paved the way for advancements in art. Through the process of microscopic manipulations, the Nano-Scape, shown below, allows people to experience the nano-world touch by utilizing magnetics. The magnetic field creates constantly shifting forces, which is stimulated by movements from the user's hands that cause all the atoms in the array to interact in a constant readjustment of their proximity to one another. This constant movement allows for users of the Nano-Scape to create an ever "changing invisible sculpture."
Nano-Scape |
Professor Gimzewski notes in this week's lecture that one of the most impactful ways of using nanotechnology is through medicine. I agree wholeheartedly with this statement, as most of the time with our bodies, we don't know something is actually wrong with our bodies until we go to the doctor. But at the same time, using nanotechnology for art also allows us to experience art in another dimension and at another scale.
Citations:
Dawkins, Urszula. "realtime 96." RealTime Arts. N.p., 30 May 2010. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.realtimearts.net/article/96/9816>.
Feinknopf, Brad. Suspended Walkways at CNSI. 2007. Vinoly's CNSI, University of Los Angeles California. The Architect's Newspaper. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.
"Findings on Pollution Damage to Human Airways Could Yield Novel Therapies." - DukeHealth.org. Duke University, 18 Jan. 2011. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/news/findings-on-pollution-damage-to-human-airways-could-yield-novel-therapies?utm_source=dukehealth.org&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS_news>.
"Nanotech Jim pt1." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7jM6-iqzzE>.
Sommerer, Christa . Nano-Scape. 2010. John Curtin Gallery, Australia. Art in the Age of NanoTechnology. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.
Zhou, Hong. "The building of the Titan Krios | Electron Imaging Center for Nanomachines." The building of the Titan Krios | Electron Imaging Center for Nanomachines. N.p., 10 Aug. 2006. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.eicn.ucla.edu/titanbuildup>.
2016年5月14日 星期六
This week's topic explored Neuroscience and Art, and how scientists have developed neuroscience by exploring the unconscious and the conscious. I have now become even more aware of the effects that the world around us has on our consciousness and brain activity. Hallucinogenic drugs or graphic movies demonstrates how our mind is capable of such fascinating extraordinary things.
Physicist Roger Penrose once stated, "Compared to the complexity of the brain, a galaxy is just an inert lump."The comparison of the galaxy to our brain is pictured left. Even today, humans have yet to map out exactly how the brain works. This touches upon the concept of phrenology, which is based on finding out about personality through analysis of skull shape. Professor Vesna states that it was believed that each portion of the brain controlled a certain specific skill one was exceptional at. Her statement really interested me the most, because I believe that it definitely makes sense when looking at people's abilities in general. Below a phrenology model is shown:
Our brain's ability to react in unusual ways when we see, hear, taste, or feel things that frighten us is depicted in the Amygadaloid's music video. Even though our brain merely adapted these instincts for survival, it is truly remarkable how our neurons can create such vivid emotions in our brain and react by warning us of possible danger. The Amygdaloids's passion for music and neuroscience at the same time really demonstrates to us the complexity of the human brain.
Lastly, when dealing with drugs such as LSD or cocaine, scientists have recently mapped out the alteration in the chemistry of our brains when taking LSD or cocaine. These drugs can create vibrant colors and objects that actually do not exist in reality, and can enhance or embellish our perception of life simply by changing the chemical make up of our brains. I believe that this is an instance when science and art crosses paths, and below is an image of how a drug affects our brains and neurons:
I believe that this weeks' topic is so important to us because we use our brain every single second of the day, even when we sleep. Our brains control every motion we make and also every thought we think. The application of art to neuroscience can be expressed in so many ways, from brainbow to phrenology, or even incorporating drugs to create a psychadelic experience. We are now only beginning to understand the psychological implications of many of these things on a scientific level. I am looking to future studies, which may start new forms of art in this field.
Citations:
Brain On Drugs. N.d. Photograph. Brain On Drugs. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FyDVSBTGW-ikqx81DTdVC7D-BKdEUIax6y8jtVAn_Bhuz7MfLsR1j_dRpeDQQRI_z4Q4KKF_WrqWkZyC-zM5xBXinFd2J7D2Dp8sQJ0Z5AbJMwI8Ts3U7Zsycr2G8ndXU6FC43XEioNJ/s1600/BrainOnDrugs.jpg>.
Lienhard, John H. "No. 2148 American Phrenology." Engines of Our Ingenuity. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2013. <http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi2148.htm>.
Neuron. N.d. Photograph. Creative Biology. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. <http://creativebiology.blogspot.com/2010/02/neurons-and-on-being-science-nrrd.html>.
"The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel: Sci, Space, Tech." 'The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel: Sci, Space, Tech'. Leverhulme Trust, 15 May 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2013/05/more-complex-than-a-galaxy-new-insights-into-the-human-brain.html>.
Vesna, Victoria. Lecture. Neuroscience and Art Lecture. UCLA Online. Web.
Our Human Brain |
Our brain's ability to react in unusual ways when we see, hear, taste, or feel things that frighten us is depicted in the Amygadaloid's music video. Even though our brain merely adapted these instincts for survival, it is truly remarkable how our neurons can create such vivid emotions in our brain and react by warning us of possible danger. The Amygdaloids's passion for music and neuroscience at the same time really demonstrates to us the complexity of the human brain.
Lastly, when dealing with drugs such as LSD or cocaine, scientists have recently mapped out the alteration in the chemistry of our brains when taking LSD or cocaine. These drugs can create vibrant colors and objects that actually do not exist in reality, and can enhance or embellish our perception of life simply by changing the chemical make up of our brains. I believe that this is an instance when science and art crosses paths, and below is an image of how a drug affects our brains and neurons:
I believe that this weeks' topic is so important to us because we use our brain every single second of the day, even when we sleep. Our brains control every motion we make and also every thought we think. The application of art to neuroscience can be expressed in so many ways, from brainbow to phrenology, or even incorporating drugs to create a psychadelic experience. We are now only beginning to understand the psychological implications of many of these things on a scientific level. I am looking to future studies, which may start new forms of art in this field.
Citations:
Brain On Drugs. N.d. Photograph. Brain On Drugs. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FyDVSBTGW-ikqx81DTdVC7D-BKdEUIax6y8jtVAn_Bhuz7MfLsR1j_dRpeDQQRI_z4Q4KKF_WrqWkZyC-zM5xBXinFd2J7D2Dp8sQJ0Z5AbJMwI8Ts3U7Zsycr2G8ndXU6FC43XEioNJ/s1600/BrainOnDrugs.jpg>.
Lienhard, John H. "No. 2148 American Phrenology." Engines of Our Ingenuity. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2013. <http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi2148.htm>.
Neuron. N.d. Photograph. Creative Biology. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. <http://creativebiology.blogspot.com/2010/02/neurons-and-on-being-science-nrrd.html>.
"The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel: Sci, Space, Tech." 'The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel: Sci, Space, Tech'. Leverhulme Trust, 15 May 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2013/05/more-complex-than-a-galaxy-new-insights-into-the-human-brain.html>.
Vesna, Victoria. Lecture. Neuroscience and Art Lecture. UCLA Online. Web.
2016年5月8日 星期日
This week's lecture really taught me how biotechnology can not only be used for stem cells in medicine, but also a form of human expression. While the lecture really allowed me to explore something I had never thought of before, I also felt quite uncomfortable and disturbed at some of the images of bioart. This included Stelarc's Third Ear, which consisted of a full sized human ear inserted in his left arm as an implant.
Stelarc, a legendary Australian performance artist, used a skin expander to create excess skin on his left forearm. His Arm in Ear Project began in 2006, and since then, he is still perfecting the shape using stem cells and surgery to make the ear more prominent.
Pictures from the procedure can be seen above. Seeing Stelarc's arm really grossed me out, and left me wondering what was the motivation behind this artistic expression. Upon learning that his motivation was to suggest an improved human being, I really started to question whether or not this type of artistic expression was even justified.
However, other examples such as the Revival Field really sparked my interest in this field.
However, other examples such as the Revival Field really sparked my interest in this field.
The Revival Field began as a conceptual artwork with the intent to sculpt a site's ecology, in order to promote greater social awareness and responsibility. Mel Chin's work led him to collaborate with scientists and government agencies in order to create natural work that transcends traditional sculpture. I feel like this project really materialized science, technology, and art, while not adhering to the traditional object of making art.
In summary, I believe that most of my disturbance at this week's lecture came from its motivation. I believe that life itself is a valid expressive medium, but at the same time, we have to balance ethical standards and practices with scientific and artistic values. If the art's motivation is to purely invoke thought and wonder, like the Third Ear, I feel like the art is unjustified. On the other hand, if the artwork is motivated by empathy and a greater sense of common good, the art is definitely more justifiable. I also believe that there should be limits to human creativity. Although people have their own rights to decide what to do with their bodies, seeing a human ear in one's arm does not sound like art to me.
In summary, I believe that most of my disturbance at this week's lecture came from its motivation. I believe that life itself is a valid expressive medium, but at the same time, we have to balance ethical standards and practices with scientific and artistic values. If the art's motivation is to purely invoke thought and wonder, like the Third Ear, I feel like the art is unjustified. On the other hand, if the artwork is motivated by empathy and a greater sense of common good, the art is definitely more justifiable. I also believe that there should be limits to human creativity. Although people have their own rights to decide what to do with their bodies, seeing a human ear in one's arm does not sound like art to me.
Citations:
"Regulating Biotechnology: At the Interface between Science And Ethics." Ethics Technology and Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://ethicstechnologyandsociety.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/regulating-biotechnology-at-the-interface-between-science-and-ethics/>.
"Stelarc’s Third Ear." Street Anatomy. N.p., 4 Nov. 2007. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://streetanatomy.com/2012/06/27/stelarcs-third-ear/>.
"Regulating Biotechnology: At the Interface between Science And Ethics." Ethics Technology and Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://ethicstechnologyandsociety.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/regulating-biotechnology-at-the-interface-between-science-and-ethics/>.
"Stelarc’s Third Ear." Street Anatomy. N.p., 4 Nov. 2007. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://streetanatomy.com/2012/06/27/stelarcs-third-ear/>.
Sellers, Nina. Stelarc's Third Ear. 226. Museum of Natural Art, Australia. Street Anatomy. Web. 8 Nov. 2013.
Stelarc. "Stelarc // Ear on Arm." Stelarc.org. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.
Summers. http://blogs.walkerart.org/visualarts/files/2008/03/revival-field-1991-943.jpg. 2008. Walker Art Center, Minnesota. Walker Art Center. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.
Stelarc. "Stelarc // Ear on Arm." Stelarc.org. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.
Summers. http://blogs.walkerart.org/visualarts/files/2008/03/revival-field-1991-943.jpg. 2008. Walker Art Center, Minnesota. Walker Art Center. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.
Vesna, Victoria. "5 Bioart Pt1." YouTube. YouTube, 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg>.
2016年5月3日 星期二
“Leap Before You Look: Black Mountain College 1933-1957” is the first extensive exhibition of art works produced in the experimental liberal arts college, where pivotal artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, John Cage, Josef and Anni Albers, and Merce Cunningham studied and taught.
The exhibition strengthened my understanding of the connections between math, art, and science. Josef Albers is a highly influential artist who inspired some of the most progressive art education in the twentieth century, and his multi-dimentional art piece below shows intricate geometric design, resonating with ideas we learned in week 2. The drawing by William Albert Lanier is a great example of art, math, and science all combined in one art piece to create a modern-looking architectural design. The art produced in Black Mountain College represents a tiny fraction of a progressive era for art, math, and science that became the building blocks of the modern 21st century.
I was very inspired by Robert Rauschenberg’s Minutiae. It is a vibrant piece of art made from oil, paper, fabric, newspaper, wood, metal, plastic, mirror, and string on wood structure. The colorfulness reminds me that, as an aspired musician, I should learn to draw inspiration from the little things in daily life.
The exhibition was definitely worth it and I recommend everyone go check it out at Hammer Museum.
2016年5月1日 星期日
2016年4月17日 星期日
Technology has played a big part in the development of modern art, constantly providing artists with new means of expression. For example, back in 2012 Coachella music festival, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre did the first live hologram performance with the hologram of Tupac Shakur, a deceased rapper.
It is safe to say that art and technology have progressed in a mutually beneficial relationship; however, technology has a way of systematizing the production of art, and many art piece loses its originality when it's being mass produced, explained by Benjamin in “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”. One great example is the iPhone. The clean, modern, and intuitive design was truly the masterpiece of an ingenious artist. But as it becomes mass-produced and easily accessible -- so easy that it becomes complimentary gifts of purchasing new phone plans. The design is no longer a novelty, and worse yet, copycats make a fortune from it.
After this week's lecture, I'm more aware of the influence of art on technology, and this has allowed me to look at normal objects in a completely different light.
But what's often overlooked is art's influence on technology; many new forms of technology are direct results of artistic influence, as pointed out by Professor Vesna. Using an advanced technology called cryostats, Lexus recently created the first realistic hoverboard that actually hovers above the ground, just like Marty McFly's hoverboard in the movie Back to the Future II.
(Marty McFly on a hoverboard in Back to the Future II)
It is safe to say that art and technology have progressed in a mutually beneficial relationship; however, technology has a way of systematizing the production of art, and many art piece loses its originality when it's being mass produced, explained by Benjamin in “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”. One great example is the iPhone. The clean, modern, and intuitive design was truly the masterpiece of an ingenious artist. But as it becomes mass-produced and easily accessible -- so easy that it becomes complimentary gifts of purchasing new phone plans. The design is no longer a novelty, and worse yet, copycats make a fortune from it.
(the first iPhone)
After this week's lecture, I'm more aware of the influence of art on technology, and this has allowed me to look at normal objects in a completely different light.
Sources
Benjamin, Walter. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. London: Penguin, 2008. Print.
Vesna,Victoria. “Lecutre Part 2.” Math + Art. 12 Oct. 2012. Lecture.
Back to the Future Part II. Dir. Robert Zemeckis. Prod. Steven Spielberg. Perf. Michael J. Fox. Universal, 1989.
Tupac Hologram Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre Perform Coachella Live 2012. Perf. Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre. N.p., 17 Apr. 2012. Web. 17 Apr. 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGbrFmPBV0Y>.
Risen, Tom. "A Real Hoverboard? The Future Is Now." U.S. News. N.p., 5 Aug. 2015. Web. 17 Apr. 2016. <http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/08/05/lexus-hoverboard-inspired-by-back-to-the-future>.
2016年4月9日 星期六
Math has always been my least favorite subject at school and I've never truly appreciated the usefulness of math. This weeks' lectures and readings taught me the importance of math in the artistic world and changed my perspective.
"The Last Supper" by Leonardo Da Vinci demonstrates an extensive use of the golden ratio. All the key dimensions of the room, tables, and even the ornamentals are based on the golden ratio. Da Vinci truly mastered the combination of math and art.
After this week's lecture, it's safe to say that math, art, and science go hand in hand in the modern world. Artists need math to achieve the perfect proportion and science to add novelty to their works. Scientists need math to explore the unknown and art to make their creations aesthetic, like Steve Jobs did with the iphone. Last but not least, math, despite being my nightmare at school, is the backbone of modern society because everything we know today is related to math, from the tables we're sitting at to the tallest building in the world. Hence, regardless of how boring and difficult math can be, I should learn more mathematic principles so I can apply them to my career in the future.
Source:
From Professor Vesna and "The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion", I learned that math and science ideas like Einstein's relativity and the golden ratio are the foundation of modern art. Before artists applied math techniques to their works, they weren't even able to paint realistic portraits because making every detail proportionate was difficult; however, artists like Leonardo da vinci raised the bar of modern art when they made math principles center to their art. Through the novel Flatland by Edwin Abbot, I learned that multi-dimensional art allows an art piece to seem different from various angles.
Above is an painting of a hyper-dimensional space center that might seem confusing to viewers for there are building that seem to exist in different dimensions. This painting obviously required careful planning of the geometry of the buildings.
"The Last Supper" by Leonardo Da Vinci demonstrates an extensive use of the golden ratio. All the key dimensions of the room, tables, and even the ornamentals are based on the golden ratio. Da Vinci truly mastered the combination of math and art.
After this week's lecture, it's safe to say that math, art, and science go hand in hand in the modern world. Artists need math to achieve the perfect proportion and science to add novelty to their works. Scientists need math to explore the unknown and art to make their creations aesthetic, like Steve Jobs did with the iphone. Last but not least, math, despite being my nightmare at school, is the backbone of modern society because everything we know today is related to math, from the tables we're sitting at to the tallest building in the world. Hence, regardless of how boring and difficult math can be, I should learn more mathematic principles so I can apply them to my career in the future.
Source:
Abbott, Edwin. “Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions.” N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2012. <https://cole.uconline.edu/content>.
Henderson, Lynda. “The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art.” N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2012. <https://cole.uconline.edu/content>.
Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics.” Lecture. CoLE DESMA 9. Web. <https://cole.uconline.edu/~UCLA-201209-12F-DESMA-9-1#l=Week-2-Assignment/id4287887>.
Leonardo da Vinci, Last Supper, 1495-1498, oil/tempera on plaster
2016年4月2日 星期六
C. P. Snow’s concept of two cultures is based on the observation that scientists and
artists are sometimes incapable of conversation and collaboration. Scientists are
too disciplined by their learnings to appreciate novelty, while artistic people don’t
enjoy the dullness scientific studies entail. Nevertheless, as technology advanced, a third culture that facilitates collaboration between art and science emerged — a nerd culture. “While nerd culture deeply honors the rigor of the scientific method, its thrust is not pursuing truth, but pursuing novelty”.
Growing up in a family that’s involved in the music industry, I see the clear distinction between artists and technological people, and collaborations between them really resonates with the idea of a third culture. I remember being at Hans Zimmer’s studio with a new musician/artist while a sound engineer teaches the artist how to create various sounds from a computer program. A few days later, the artist wrote a song that was completely different from his usual style.
Hans Zimmer's studio
On the other hand, UCLA’s separation of North and South Campus is a great example of division between two cultures. North Campus houses humanity majors, while South Campus houses science majors. Knowing people from both sides, I see the difference between them from all perspectives, but mainly their approaches to problem solving. In my opinion, UCLA should encourage North and South Campus collaboration to facilitate innovations, which could help bridge the gap between rich and poor.
Sculpture garden at North Campus
Furthermore, as an aspired movie producer, I should keep in mind the innovative power of the third culture because that could be the key to my career.
Sources:
Snow, C. P. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. New York: Cambridge UP, 1959. Print.
Kelly, Kevin. "The Third Culture." The Third Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. Feb. 1998
Wilson, Stephen D. “Myths and Confusions in Thinking about Art/Science/Technology.” College Art Association Meetings. New York, New York, 2000. Print
Vesna, Victoria. “Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between.” Leonardo 34.2 (2001): 121-25. Web.
Hans Zimmer's Studio. 2010. Stuckincustoms.com, Los Angeles <http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2010/04/18/hans-zimmers-studio/>
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